Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-11-16
q NARROW ESCAPE
An Anectlote OF the Late E.B. Wasl,burnog
Related by Colonel LalnOn.

An AnecdOte of the Late E.B.s Washburno
Related by Colonel Lainon.
& The death Of Hon. E. B. Washburne To-
minds the Washington correspondent OF the
Philadelphia Ledger of an incident related by
Ward 81. Lamon. Colonel Lamon was Mr..
Lincolns travelling companion on his cele-
brated journey from Springfield, ILL.,, to
Washington, when the resident-elect was
on his way to assume the Office of President.
The air was full of rumors Of plots for the
assassination Of the Presidents and in
consequence Of q report that an attempt
would be made on his life at Baltimore the
programme arranged for the trip to Wash
ington was suddenly changed, and Mr.. Lin
coin, who had gone from Philadelphia to
Harrisburg, the intention being to proceed
from the latter place to Baltimore, was
brought back to Philadelphia and placed on
the regular midnight train leaving that city
for the capital. In addition to Colonel La
mon, Mr.. Lincoln had as a body guard Allan
Pinkerton and another detective. Mr..
Washburne was the only man in Washing
ton who knew that the President-elect
would arrive at the capital in the early
morning instead of in the afternoon, as was
originally proposed. The arrival of Mr.
Lincoln at the capital is best told in Colonel
Lannon's own words. 20. T..
II never closed my eyes," said Colonel
Lamon, "during the trip from Philadelphia
to Washington The story OF the cloak and
Scotch cap to disguise Mr.. Lincoln had no
foundation. There was no attempt at dis
guise and no occasion for it. We reached
Baltimore at daybreak, and, as the cars
were being examined and made ready for
the transfer through Baltimore from the
President street depot to that at Camden
street, we could hear the remarks made by
the trainmen and those about the station in
reference to the anticipated arrival of Lin
coin during the afternoon of that day. Mr..
Lincoln and myself remained in the berth
until the train left Baltimore. I did not
know, nor did Mr.. Lincoln expect, Mr..
Washburne was to meet him at the depot in
Washington. Beside I did not know Mr..
Washburne by sight. On reaching Wash
ington we left the train and proceeded with
the other passengers toward the large room
Of the Baltimore & Ohio depot fronting on
New Jersey avenue, intending to pass
through to the street, and taking car
riage drive to the residence of William II.
Seward. When we reached the waiting
room man approached Mr.. Lincoln. laid
his hand on the shoulder of the President
elect, and called his name. paid no atten-
eAoA w "Aau Ao o1AS, UuI III du IuSlduI NY
pistol was at his head, as was also that of
Allan Pinkerton. Mr.. Lincoln grasped my
arm and said: Ward this is Mr. Wash.
burne. You must be careful of our friends
I replied: Mr.. Washburne should have
more sense than to accost you in this place
in such a manner
"Although I afterward became well &C
Quainted with Mr.. Washburne, he never
| forgave me for this demonstration. have
often thought of this incident, and could
never explain to myself how Mr.. Wash
burne escaped death that morning from my
pistol or that of Allan Pinkerton. Had Mr..
Lincoln first seen and recognized Mr.. Wash
burne it would not have aroused our sus-
picions, but Mr.. Lincoln did not see Mr..
Washburne until his hand was laid on Lin
coins shoulder and until Mr. Washburne
called his name Itwas a very close call for
Mr.. Washburne."